Common Conditions

Penile Implants - Erectile Dysfunction

3-piece inflatable implants - The most commonly used inflatable device is the three-piece inflatable implant, accounting for approximately 75% of penile implants. This device has paired cylinders and a small scrotal pump, but in addition this device also has a fluid reservoir (which is placed behind the abdominal wall muscles) that is filled with saline solution. Thus, all parts of the device are internal. With these three-component devices, a larger volume of fluid is pumped into the cylinders for an erection by squeezing the concealed pump in the scrotum several times in order to move the fluid from this concealed reservoir into the cylinders that are in the penis. As the cylinders fill, the penis becomes erect and firm. When the erection is no longer desired, a release valve on the pump (in the scrotum) is simply pressed to transfer the fluid back into the reservoir and out from the cylinders, causing the penis to become flaccid. There are five different 3-piece devices available to address most implant situations. The advantage of a 3-piece device is that it is completely flaccid in the deflated state. It does however require some training to learn how to deflate the device.